Protesters carrying placards saying “No to racism, no to Trump”, and “Refugees welcome” marched through the capital to Whitehall amid a heavy police presence, with officers lining the streets.
Organisers said their estimates showed they had successfully outnumbered the Tommy Robinson-led Unite the Kingdom rally in London in September.
That demonstration – organised by right-wing activist Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – was attended by between 110,000 and 150,000 people, while about 5,000 were involved in an anti-racism counter-demonstration.
There were several incidents of violent disorder which left some police officers injured on that occasion, and the event was condemned at the time by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who said it had left people feeling “more scared than they were before”.
On Saturday, organisers said people had gathered for a “peaceful” demonstration against “hatred and division and racism”.
Rally co-organiser Kevin Courtney, chairman of the coalition, told crowds gathered on Whitehall: “Our estimate is now that there are half a million people on this demonstration – the biggest demonstration ever against the far right.
“And it gives us all confidence to carry on. Thank you very much.”
Scroll down for the latest updates.
Live updates
Hundreds gather in central London for rally against far right
Hundreds of people have turned out in support of the Together Alliance’s rally against the far right in central London.
As the march formed up, there were chants of: “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here”, and “choose love”.
Many protestors carried placards, bearing slogans such as: “Migrants make our NHS”, “No to racism, no to Trump”, and “Refugees welcome, stop the far right”.
Organiser says Tory frontbencher ‘would have been sacked’ for Muslim prayer comments
Rally co-organiser Kevin Courtney, chairman of the Together Alliance, said shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy would have been “sacked” for his comments about Muslim public prayer if he had made them 10 years ago.
Earlier this month, the Conservative MP described Muslim public prayer as an “act of domination and decision”, referring to an Open Iftar event held in Trafalgar Square.
Mr Courtney said: “Nick Timothy, who is a frontbencher for the Conservative Party, criticised the Muslim community, said they were taking over Trafalgar Square when they were having an Iftar event… they were praying as part of that.
“All faiths use Trafalgar Square. The idea that Nick Timothy picks on one particular community, and criticise it, demonises it, I would say… it’s disturbing that those ideas have cut into the mainstream.
“10 years ago, he would have been sacked from the Tory frontbench for saying that. He’s not being sacked now, so we are disturbed by the growth of far-right ideas across the mainstream, as well as in the particular expressions, like Tommy Robinson.”
Organiser says far-right ‘intimidated’ ahead of mass rally
Speaking ahead of a central London rally against the far-right on Saturday, co-organiser Sabby Dhalu, joint secretary of the Together Coalition and co-convenor of Stand Up To Racism, said the UK is seeing an “unprecedented growth” in support for far-right organisations.
She said: “The Tommy Robinson-led Unite the Kingdom demonstration back in September 2025 was the biggest far-right mobilisation in British history.
“We believe that the majority of British people stand against the hatred and division and racism that was being encouraged at that demonstration and by these types of organisations, and it’s time to act.”
Asked if she was concerned about potential counter-protests and disorder, Ms Dhalu said: “We’re not worried about anything like that today. We haven’t had any intelligence about anything like that is being planned.
“We’re confident that the size of our mobilisation here today has actually intimidated the far-right, and I think they feel that they are not confident enough to stand against us because they know that we’re going to be out in big numbers.”
Ms Dhalu said protestors have “no reason” not to abide by conditions put in place by the Metropolitan Police, adding that it will be a “peaceful” demonstration.